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Geraldine R. Foss

Geraldine R. Foss, 94, Valley City, ND died December 23, 2013 at Mercy Hospital surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held December 27, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Valley City. Visitation will be held from 4-7 on December 26 at Lerud Schuldt Funeral Home.
Geraldine (Jerry) was born to Clara (Prakel) and Rudolph Greb in Valley City, ND on August 20, 1919. Jerry was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Valley City. Her father died when she was three weeks old. She was raised by her mother and stepfather, Edward Bunkowski. Her childhood was spent in Valley City and New Effington, SD. Jerry graduated from Valley City High in 1938 and went on to get her teaching degree from Valley City State Teacher’s College.
Jerry married her high school sweetheart, Calvin (Cal) Foss on February 25, 1944 at the Congregational Church in Valley City. They lived in various places as he finished his service duty. Jerry followed Cal to Angola, Indiana where he continued his studies after the war. Their daughter Cheryl was born in Indiana. Following his graduation, they moved back to Valley City where Marcia was born.
Jerry used her Business Education degree to teach in several schools before settling down in Valley City. She taught at Valley City State in the business education department and then did substitute teaching in the area. She also was a faithful employee of Fidelity Savings and Loan for many years.
Through their marriage and business adventures Jerry became very active in her community and state. She served at state president of the ND Cowbells, 1969 state president of the ND P.E.O. Sisterhood, worked diligently for the Republican Party, helped organize and chaired the annual Congregational Church Chuck Wagon dinner for 37 years, and served on the VCSU Booster Board for many year. She was an avid sports fan—especially basketball. Jerry and Cal were the first recipients of the VCSU Fan of the Year in 1987. She even drove college cheerleaders to a tournament in Montana. Another highlight of her life was playing bridge. She loved playing duplicate bridge and party bridge at the Country Club.
Family was very important to Jerry. She thoroughly enjoyed the years her children were in school and continued that enthusiasm for her 5 grandchildren. She even kept scrapbooks for each of the grandchildren. She was a constant encourager to her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She attended everything she possibly could and wanted to hear about the things she missed. She took on the responsibility of homework with all the kids, picking them up from activities, and feeding them when needed. She had such an influence on each and every member of her family.
Jerry liked to travel with family and she especially liked Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Medora, and Minneapolis.
She will be greatly missed by her two daughters : Cheryl (Tom) Rowekamp and Marcia Foss; her grandchildren Kelli (Dean) Bjornson, Kraig (Dani) Rowekamp, Kristi Rowekamp, Cameron Walker, and Jessica (Cory) Steiner and her six great grandchildren: Wyatt, Karter, Calvin, Chloe, Mara, Reis, and two step-great granddaughters Del Rae and Kelsa.
Memorials may be given to “fix thebrick”project at the Congregational United Church of Christ, the Cal Foss Scholarship at VCSU, or as the family wishes.